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Summary Only

There are several purchasing and supply management initiatives the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) can take, or, indeed, has already taken, to improve performance and reduce costs. Data on both direct and indirect purchases indicate corporate contracts grouping several individual sole-source contracts may allow the Marine Corps to leverage its purchasing power for more favorable terms and conditions. The Marine Corps also may wish to partner with other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies in efforts to leverage DoD-wide purchases. Moore et al. provide a first review of how USMC purchases with leading suppliers compares with those of other DoD purchasers and discuss who should provide leadership, by supplier and commodity.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Introduction

Chapter Two

Overview of a Spend Analysis

Chapter Three

General Opportunities for Improving Direct Purchasing Practices

Chapter Four

Insights on Direct Purchases by Specific Commodities and Suppliers

Chapter Five

DLA Spending on Behalf of the Marine Corps

Chapter Six

Lessons for the Marine Corps

Chapter Seven

DD350 and ACF Data and Analysis Issues

Research conducted by

The research described in this report was prepared for the United States Marine Corps. The research was conducted in the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Department of the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense Intelligence Community.

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